Articles and letters may be edited for the purposes of clarity and space. They are published in good faith with a view to enlightening all the stakeholders. However, the contents of these writings may not necessarily match the views of the newspaper.
Musharraf may be pardoned
It has been reported in the media that the health of General (R) Pervez Musharraf, former COAS and President of Pakistan, is in dire straits.
Hounded by an un-treatable (fatal) illness, since the past several years, Gen. Musharraf is believed to be in precarious condition, struggling between life and death, at his Dubai residence.
In her tweet today (June 15) Reema Omer, lawyer and political analyst, rightly pointed out … ‘Musharraf abrogated the constitution, not once but twice; assaulted independence of the judiciary; and was involved in gross human rights violations including disappearances, torture, extra judicial executions of thousands of people.
The harrowing Lal Masjid episode, if I may add, is a glaringly example of this. I am completely in consonance with Reema.
From legal point of view, the magnitude of the offences committed by the offender is so intense that grant of forgiveness cannot be justified under any circumstances.
However, it should be remembered … ‘to err is human’. Regardless of the crimes that General Musharraf committed, being profoundly obsessed by delusions of grandeur, I, on purely humanitarian grounds, unfeignedly urge the court of law, the government in saddles, and the people who suffered his unparalleled wrath to forgive him.
Grant him his last wish. Let him return to his homeland — PAKISTAN. I know, I am asking for too much. I know it’s an awfully difficult and painful decision to take, particularly for those who had immensely suffered during his regime.
Time is running out fast. Do give a serious thought to my entreaty, and act before it gets too late … before General Pervez Musharraf breathes his last.
M FAZAL ELAHI
Islamabad
Respect all religions
The Bharatiya Janata Party in India expelled its leaders Nupur Sharma and Navneet Jindal over their remarks against the Last Prophet (PBUH). The decision came after their remarks triggered communal tension in several parts of the world, including India.
The BJP leader made her remarks during a TV debate where she expressed her opinion. Those taking part in TV debates should maintain their decorum and should not hurt the religious sentiments of other panellists and viewers.
JUBEL D’CRUZ
Mumbai, India
Atrocities of Sindh govt
This week Sindh Police detained more then two dozens of Baloch people on the instructions of Sindh government, who were peacefully protesting for the missing Baloch students. In a viral video on social media, it can obviously be seen how brutally people are tortured and dragged. It is quite disappointing to know that these days, a peaceful protest has become the most awful and appalling act after blasphemy particularly, in Sindh. The Sindh government has been inflicting the atrocities on the common people day-to-day. Though, it is crystal clear that Sindh government has lost its all senses into the intoxication of power. At the very same time, no one is there to question the barbarities of feudal-elites-turned politicians.
A peaceful protest is basic constitutional right of every citizen but very dismally, we are being deprived of our constitutional rights slowly but surely. We question Supreme Court of Pakistan why the doors of court can’t be opened for the common people not at least in midnight but in the midday? Why only the common people are supposed to be deprived of their constitutional rights? Why the elites are not taken into custody? Why our cries for help go unheard? This is the time for the people to wake up from their deep slumber of being tortured and dragged for the rudimental right.
PEHLAJ KUMAR
Khairpur Mirs
Digital democracy
Advancement of technology has signalled the world for new trends and innovative tools for progress. Among all, the digital democracy is the most viable innovation.
Enforcement of the digital democracy in a digitally driven environment is very useful. Estonia is a glaring example of it. Estonia has introduced not only digital democracy but also e-banking, e-commerce, e-licensing and e-education.
These imperatives of modernisation not only save time and resources but also ensure accountability and transparency. In the same vein, it is high time for Pakistan to introduce the digital democracy option and other digital channels to ensure progress and public satisfaction.
But for the introduction of digital democracy, digitally driven society is very compulsory. But it is sad to say that previous experience of pandemic paints a bleak picture of our society regarding technological awareness.
More narrowly, almost 60% of students of far flung areas had no facility of computer or even though they haven’t access to 3G, 4G network. In addition, according to a report only 23% of women of Pakistan are aware of technology.
However, almost 56% of our population is women. And further talking in broader terms, our literacy rate has always been between 30 and 56%. So keeping all these things in mind it’s high time for Pakistani government to take immediate measures to ensure technological awareness among the masses.
GHULAM MUSTAFA
Sukkur
